Can you install keyless entry in 08 Aveo hatchback?

[litjester]

I recently struck a deal with a dealer on an 08 Aveo hatchback, I wanted the 5 door Aveo but I had to have cruise control and keyless entry. They were only able to find one with cruise, but offered to install keyless entry. This car DOES NOT HAVE POWER WINDOWS OR LOCKS, but they assured me the keyless could be installed and I have seen other cars done like this in the past. The power windows don't bother me or the power locks, I figure if they get keyless in without changing the locks fine, I'll be using the remote, if the change the locks who cares. Now they are telling me though that they CAN NOT install the keyless entry, its not a cost thing, it can not be done. They apparently started on the back and got that to work but the front is impossible to change. Is this true? Is there really no way to change the locks and if so is it because of that stupid #$@*&% lockout feature on the driver door(Which by the way is the reason I want keyless in this car, I hate using the key EVERY time I get out to lock it)? Or did they just find out it would cost alot more money that they planned for in the begining? Thank you in advance!

[rodeo02]

Did you buy your Aveo from a GM dealer? I'm surprised they even offered to install keyless entry on it if it wasn't equipped with power locks. I bet that was a mistake on their part. You need power lock actuators [installed in the doors] in order to have keyless entry. If you car didn't come with factory PL, it wont have actuators in there. For many applications, universal lock actuators can be purchased and installed, but it will be a custom fit/fabrication job. I hear you though. My Cobalt doesn't have CC, PW or PL. You miss the keyless remote, but you'll get used to it. I don't keep anything in my Cobalt and rarely lock it. Trust me though, less is better!

Joel

[mikedudley17]

power locks aint that grand in the aveo anyways, i have em and it sux in the winter or in anything below 50 degrees fairenheit. the drivers side wont move cus the rubber ring around the bottom of the lock contracts to tightly around the lock thus keepin it in whatever position it was in. ie if it was locked, the motors for the power locks arent strong enough to push it thru(drivers side mainly) thus my car stays locked and i have to use the key anyway. if i want to get in my car sometimes just to get sumtin out the back seat i have to time it cus the other doors will unlock for about a second then they lock again, so i time it to where i push the button and open the door quickly afterwards. what a pain.

[manahawkinrob]

I bought an 08 SVM without power anything. I got a kit on ebay that was an alarm remote starter keyless entry and 4 power door lock actuators for 100 bucks. I installed the power lock actuators in the two front doors so far and the keyless/alarm/remote and it all works great. I hated having to lock and unlock the drivers door with the key so I did this right away. It wasn't that bad and the universal actuators work fine. I will do the two back doors when I get a chance. I am sure that a local mobile electronics installer could do this no problem.

[mikedudley17]

nice.

[genefitz]

Here's the deal. You can get the aftermarket power locks kit for the Aveo. They are pretty cheap, but if you do, make sure you have professionals install it, moreover, a major company who can warranty the work, because the last thing you want is for your rlectrical system to get fried and have to pay out of pocket for repairs.
At least if you have a warranty, if their gear screws up the car, they have to pay for the repair.

[orangekitty]

My 06 Aveo did not come with any power door locks but did come with power windows. I wanted keyless entry as I find it a major useful advantage for the Aveo, especially for the hatchback model as the hatch door can be locked simultaneously with the rest of the doors. Too many times I forgot to lock it. The ridiculous front door 'feature' of not being able to press down the lock button was also too much for me to handle. I refused to insert my key to lock the car each time I got out. It's not only a hassle but a safety issue.

I bought a kit off ebay, I don't remember the vendor but it was a pretty generic keyless entry kit with nothing else but door lock/unlock function.. You can find more elaborate systems too like flashing light, horn honk on demand, etc, but that increases your install complexity enormously as the keyless system becomes tapped into your car's other systems. With just power lock function the system is isolated from everything else and CANNOT do harm to your car if you fuse the power tap (which is what you should always do) The worse that will happen is you will fry your remote control box and/or actuators.

Since there were no actuators (power locks) on the doors I had to install them. I got the four wire actuators for the front doors and three two wire actuators for the rear and hatch. I installed actuators on another car before so I was somewhat familiar with the process. If you haven't done it before, it's really not that hard. I mean this isn't rocket science or anything. You just need to know how the actuators work -- they are like plungers that shoot in and out. The actuators need to be mounted such that they pull against the locking latch with the included metal bar. You trim the bar down with a hacksaw and bend it a bit if needed. The actuators need to fit inside the metal door panel between the window and ensure it does not touch the window at all. Then with a drill, you make a small hole in the metal and fasten down the actuator.

The wiring can seemingly get complex but it's not that bad. Buy good quality 16 gauge wire so you don't have trouble down the road. For a neat finish, route the wiring through the door's rubber stump. The front doors are a bit hard to do as there's not too much room to stick your hand in, but the rears were easy.

Since I had the hatch model, I also did the hatch door. This just uses a regular 2 wire actuator. Took a bit of figuring out but in general, the mount hole is already there for the actuator to go on.. Routing the wire through the hatch system was kinda a pain. I had to use an unfolded clothes hanger to pull the wire through the inside of the frame.

Anyways, the 4 doors took me an entire afternoon to do. I did the hatch on another day which took a couple hours. I took my sweet time since it was a learning experience. Well worth saving the money. You can get a shop to do it for you too if you're absolutely sure you're unable to do it, but be prepared to pay quite a bit of dough. You need them to install actuators in your door and they charge per door, so you're not just getting "keyless" entry as sometimes advertised for $99 or such, as that is for cars which ALREADY have factory power locks. I guess you could do just 2 front doors to save money but that's just goofy, do the whole car.